"Did Nat actually tell you so?" she asked, surprised. "No. Improving homily from dear Uncle Joe."
"When?"
"Last night, after you'd gone to bed."
"Stephen, did Joe say that? That Nat had made you his heir?"
He shrugged. "Not as tersely as that. Arch hints, winks, and nudges."
"I expect he knows. You'd better watch your step. I wouldn't put it beyond Nat to change his mind,"
"I daresay you're right," he said indifferently.
She felt a sudden stab of exasperation. "Then why annoy him?"
His pipe had gone out, and he began to relight it. Over the bowl his eyes glinted at her. "Bless your heart, I don't annoy him! He doesn't like my intended."
"Do you?" she demanded, before she could stop herself.